The Creative Weekend | Five things to see at London Craft Week

May 5, 2017

London Craft Week – Tom Pigeon

Working within the design industry, I’ll forever associate the word craft with high-quality, knowledge and luxurious or unique materials, dominated by the kind of folk that want to keep skills and techniques alive and well within the creative industries – no robots around here. I hate to admit it, but sometimes I cringe at the word ‘craft’ entering my inbox. Having increasingly become a word used for ‘something fun to do with your kids’, I’ve increasingly started to associate it with paper mache and pasta necklaces. It’s time to bring it back to the good stuff. Enter London Craft Week, the mini-festival showcasing the best of the best when it comes to exceptional craftsmanship and creativity.

From Taiwan to Turkey, the week embraces cultures and traditions that have stood the test of time, embracing everything from food and drink to performance and fashion. With over 200 events taking place this year, I’ve whittled down to a few that I’ll be exploring. Why don’t you come along and learn something too? Knowledge is power, right?

Tom Pigeon | Image courtesy of Tom Pigeon

Tom Pigeon Collection at Fritz Hansen

I’ve got a little bit of a soft-spot for the lady behind Fife-based design studio Tom Pigeon, so I’ll be popping in to check out their latest showcase, ‘Shipwreck’, a collection of their prints, textiles, wood and metalwork. The latest additions explore the processes and the people behind Tom Pigeon’s simple abstract style while playing with a series of new materials and textures, moving beyond the studio’s graphic print collection.

Design Nation: Marks & Tools

I would expect nothing less than a great exhibition at Oxo Tower Wharf, where true craftsmanship and traditional skills remain truly at the forefront of the 20+ stores. This year design writer Barbara Chandler has teamed up with leading creative agency Design-Nation to present an exhibition of work by over twenty of their members. The exhibition is themed around marks and tools of the maker so expect insight into the process and the design journey.

Gallery@oxo, Oxo Tower Wharf, Bargehouse St, London, SE1 9PH

6th May: 11:00 — 18:00 | 7th May: 11:00 — 18:00

Native & Co | Image courtesy of Native & Co

Wu: Five Oolong Teas from Taiwan

If you haven’t been to Native & Co’s beautiful Notting Hill design and lifestyle store, you need to go now. However, this year the design duo are branching out for London Craft Week and have designed an exhibition focusing on the theme of Wu (meaning five), celebrating Taiwanese tea culture and traditions. Supported by Ministry of Culture, Taiwan, the tea experience showcases contemporary brewing techniques, all in a serene and calming space with furniture designed by the studio.

Herrick Gallery, 93 Piccadilly, Mayfair, London, W1J 7NQ

6th May: 11:00 — 18:00 | 7th May: 11:00 — 18:00

Mulberry | Image courtesy of London Craft Week

Mulberry: The Passion of Making

Make like Megan Ellaby (yes that lass does LCW) and check out Mulberry’s flagship store where craftsmen and craftswomen from the luxury accessories brand will be demonstrating how they make their iconic handbag styles.

Mulberry Bond Street, 50 New Bond St, Mayfair, London, W1S 1BJ

6th May: 10:00 — 19:00 | 7th May: 12:00 — 18:00

Tom Raffield | Image courtesy of London Craft Week

Lighting the Square by Tom Raffield

If you’re looking for the current leader in the craft world, Tom Raffieldis surely your man. The Cornwall-based lighting and furniture designer has created a spectacular sculptural lighting installation in Belgravia. Created with over 70 steam-bent pendant lights the installation has been inspired by its natural orange tree surroundings and incorporates sustainable design practices.